Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17962, John Foster, Conn. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Connn. New York
Foster, John
S. 17962
carded
CONTENTS
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see letter Oct. 15 1835 L.P. 27
In Dis. Pa. - May 27: 1835
To Connecticut - Sept. 4: 1834
June 3: 1835
14 10 14 0
160
13 3/4
159 96
329 00 2 25 11 1 25
24.61 Connecticut + New York
John Foster
of Suffolk Co. in the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Comp. commanded by Captain Pierson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Smith in the New York line for 12 months and 10 days. & Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 164 Dollars 50 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Janu. 1834 and South W. Wood Bridgehampton
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 111 25 Semi-ant. allowance ending M. 31 52 25 $ 493 50
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832. S Geo. C. ... Clerk
Recorded by Book 6, Vol. 4, Page 18

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York County of Suffolk ss. On this twentieth day of September 1832 personally appeared before me, Jonathan Corliss Jury Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Suffolk, John Foster, a resident of Say Harbor in the said County of Suffolk and State of New York, aged eighty four years, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832:—
That on or about the 10 th of September 1775 an order issued from the Convention then sitting in New York for raising a body of volunteers to be called Minute Men. The Brigade to be commanded by Genl. William and Col. — Smith to command two Regiments at the east end of Long Island; the Captains, Lieutenants &c. to be chosen by the Militia Companies; that the Companies met at Bridgehampton and Capt. Darius Pierson was appointed Captain and he the defunct was appointed First Lieutenant of one Company; that they immediately began recruiting, and by the 15 th of September the same year their Company was filled and arranged: that he was stationed with one half of the Company at Say Harbor, where he continued on duty until early in the Spring of 1776 a large ship was stranded at Montauk, she being a prize to the British man of war ship Asia; a party of their Regiment made prisoners of the Sailing Master of the Asia, who was prize master of the stranded ship, together with a number of seamen and passengers, the whole about twenty in number; that he the defunct was ordered to take command of a detachment from three of the Companies in the vicinity in order to take the prisoners to New York. They were marched from Montauk to New York accordingly under his command, a distance of

about one hundred and fifty miles. On his (the deponent's) arrival at Brooklyn he met Lieut. Sterling who was, he believes, at that time commanding at New York; - that he made his report to him, who ordered him to take the prisoners over the ferry to New York and deliver them to the Officer commanding the main guard, then stationed at the old Barrack, which he did, and then left them, when the detachment returned to their former stations and Companies. - That sometime in April in 1776 Capt. John Davis was appointed to raise a Company of Regular Troops under the command of Col. Henry B. Livingston, which he did & was stationed at Montague that some of his (deponent's) detachment enlisted in Capt. Davis' Company - that sometime about the middle of May, as he believes, there appeared some British Cruisers off Montague, when he with the remainder of his detachment joined Capt. Davis' Company, and remained with him at his request. -
That after the battle on the west end of Long Island, the troops on the east end of the Island left their stations, and went over to Saybrook in Connecticut - Great numbers of the inhabitants left their homes, and also went over to Connecticut - here a three refugees were employed to assist in removing the inhabitants, and a large number of cattle were also brought off - that he (the deponent) was employed with some of his men, and some of Capt. Davis' men, or regular troops, in removing the inhabitants and stock, and he had principally the superintendence of that part of the business, and continued in it until about the 25 th September, when the army belonging to the refugees, over which he had the direction, refused going any longer, on account of some British ships appearing in the Sound - there being no further occasion

of his continuing any longer with Capt. Davis' Company, he (the deponent) on the 25 th September 1776 as soon as he can recollect, went with his family up Connecticut River where they resided at several differing places, but chiefly at East Haddam, until peace took place. That while he resided in Connecticut, he always volunteered with the Militia, on any alarm, but cannot now recollect the Company's nor Officers; but recollects going to New London when that place was partly destroyed by Arnold.
That before he volunteered in the service in 1775, he was a Clerk in one of the Militia Companies, but cannot recollect how long.
The deponent further states, that he was born in the town of Northampton, County of Suffolk and State of New York in the year 1748, the 27 th of January, old style. That he has often been recorded in a blank leaf in his father's old Family Bible, where were his name, the names of two brothers and three sisters. That he is now the only survivor of the family, and knows not what has become of the old Bible.
That when he entered the service as volunteer, he was living at Sag Harbor in the said County of Suffolk. Since the Revolutionary war he has lived in the (then) District of Maine about three years, then in the City of New York about thirty years, when he was for some years an Inspector of the Customs, until by age and infirmities he was unable to do duty - since then he has lived with his relations at times in East Haddam (Conn.) and on Long Island - that his present residence is in the Port of Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, N.Y. where he expects to reside the remainder of his days.
The deponent further states, that he received a Commission as first Lieutenant, which was signed by General Woodhull, which Commission, together with all his memoranda on

... remarks during his service he has lost, when he knew he does not know - that he has from the time of Pearl Harbor been doing business to a considerable amount, and has had charge of a great many papers - but they are all lost & his Commission has gone with the stuff. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. before me, Jonathan S. Conklin Judge
We John D. Gardiner, a clergyman residing in the Port of Sag Harbor, aforesaid, and Samuel H. Hornsmeier, residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Foster, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be right from years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
John D. Gardiner
Samuel H. Hornsmeier
before me. Jonathan S. Conklin Judge,
And I, the said Jonathan S. Conklin, Judge as aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant

was a competent testimony to the validity, and served as the states. And I do hereby further certify, that it appears to me that John D. Gardner, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman residing in the Port of Saybrook aforesaid, and that Samuel Sherman who has signed the same, is a resident in the said Port of Saybrook, and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.
And I do hereby further certify, that the above named applicant, from age and bodily infirmity, is unable to attend at the sitting of the County Court, which is held about twenty five miles distant from the Port of Saybrook where the said applicant resides. Sept. 25 th 1832.
Jonathan S. Conklin Judge
I, Joseph R. Huntington, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middle in the state of New York, do hereby certify, that Jonathan S. Conklin Esq. is the full Judge of the said Court of Common Pleas, which is a Court of record, and that the above signature annexed is his genuine signature. Dated the 3 rd of October, 1832.
Joseph R. Huntington Clerk

State of Connecticut county of Middlesex } ss East Haddam
On this 16 th day of May 1835; before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Middlesex, personally appeared, John Foster who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain David Pison, in the Regiment, commanded by Colonel Smith, in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York, from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the State of Connecticut, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Sag Harbour in the State of New York to East Haddam in the State of Connecticut. to wit. to live in a more comfortable and retired situation with his relatives and connections and at as little expense as his advanced age would permit. Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid
John Foster
A. Elphalet A. Bulkeley Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex
ss East Haddam
On this 16 th day of May 1835 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Middlesex, personally appeared. Brainerd Bone of said East Haddam, who on his oath declares that he is acquainted with John Foster who hath signed the foregoing application for a transfer of the place of payment of his pension, that he is the same person that formerly resided at Sag Harbor in the State of New York, and was a Pensioner of the United States, and the same person that recently removed from Sag Harbor in the State of New York to East Haddam in the State of Connecticut
Brainerd Bone
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid by the said Brainerd Bone who is to me well known and is a man of undoubted truth and veracity
B. Elisha A. Bulkeley Justice of the Peace.
State of Connecticut Middlesex County
I John P. Wilk Clerk of the County Court of Middlesex do Certify that Elisha A. Bulkeley Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex as per form on file in my Office - & that his name sub- scribed to the preceding Certificate mark B. B. are his proper Hand Writing & signatures In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 16 th day of May A.D. 1835.
J. P. Wilk Clerk

14,810
John Foster
e. g. mode of authentication.
Admitted
Lieut Genl 12 Mo 10 days
Abraham T. Rose
Bredghamton Suffolk County

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Foster of Sag Harbor in Suffolk County - New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 the claimant being then chosen Lieutenant of a company of Minutemen & served as such from 15 th Sept r 1775 to 25 th Sept r 1776 Capt. Pierson Col. Smith Lieut. Woodhull None thru State of New York Sag Harbor Suffolk County New York aged 84 years Living Witness  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

E. Headland Ct May 21 st 1835
May 25 Mr. Rowland
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Dr Sir
Inclosed is the application of Mr John Foster for a transfer of the place of payment of his pension; should it be ordered, please advise him as soon as convenient East Haddam May 20 th 1835
Respectfully yrs
Eliphalee A. Bulkeley for John Foster

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Ringelaupt Suffolk Co. N.Y. Dec. 3 rd 1833.
Sir,
In your letter of the 26 th Oct r ., accompanying the return of John Fortin & David Daffy's Pension papers, you say that the said Fortin must produce a certificate of the Secretary of the State of New York, showing that he was duly appointed and commissioned a Lieutenant as he alleges in his declaration. I accordingly wrote to the Secretary of State, and obtained his certificate of that fact, which is now included with the other papers.
You further stated that the said Fortin should likewise, as required in the printed sheet under note e, specify the duration of each term of actual service &c. .
He has accordingly made an affidavit, agreeing to the direction in the P. printed sheet, as to the precise length of time, & service, for which he claims a pension. As to his occasional service, after removing to Connecticut, he only states that in his declaration to show how he was employed after his regular service ceased on Long Island.
I earnestly hope, Sir, that these papers will be

sufficing now to bring the old gentleman his pension, for tho' he is well stricken in years he bears his faculties well about him, and tho' he has now in good circumstances, he is now depending on the charity & hospitality of his friends and relatives, of whom indeed he has many, as he is a worthy old man.
I am, Sir, respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
Abraham T. Rose.
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commission of Pensions.

John Foster
N. Y.
to
Con't.
May 1.
free J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of
East Waddan Ct April 28 th
Tidswells
ans? 30 th Apr 1 35
Washington D. C.
(Printed into suit)

East Haddam Connecticut 1 st 27 th 1885
Sir
I now hold a certificate signed by Legal authority & recorded V o page 101 in which I may receive a Pension of one Hundred & sixty four dollars & fifty cents per Annum dated 18 th day of January 1836. for which I have received my regular payments from the 4 th of March 1839 to the 1 st of Sep r 1832 Inclusive from the Mechanics Bank in New York. I have since applied there for the instalment due me the last 4 th March, my Attorney was told that I could not receive any more pay from that Office as I now was a resident in the State of Connecticut, I have been so from June last & expect to continue here during the of my days which cannot be long as I am now upwards of Eighty six years of age & very debilitated in my limbs. My request is that a transfer may be made so that I may be enabled to receive my instalment from the Office appointed for that purpose in Connecticut. If any thing further is wanting to effect the transfer I must beg the of you to direct how I must proceed to effect it.
with due esteem I am Sir
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Yours - Humble Serv. John Foster

Certificate of the Secretary of the State of New York of the appointment of John Foster to a Lieutenancy in a Company of Minute Men in Southamp- ton Co. in 1775-6 -
Southampton N.Y.
Abraham D. Rose Esq.
John Foster

1811
Abraham J. Rose Esq
Bridgehampton
Suffolk county N.Y.
Address of the Secretary of the State of New York of the attorney of the Plaintiff to the defendant in a cause of Minnie Rose vs. John H. Rose in 1795-6-

Extract from the Minutes of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York - Dated February 23. 1776.
A return of the Officers of a company of Minute men in South Hampton in Suffolk County signed by Tho: Cooper & S. Halsey the the Chairman and another member of the Committee was read and filed - They return that the following gentlemen were unanimously chosen in their presence agreeable to the rules of Congress to wit:-
Zephaniah Rogers Capt. Nath: Howell Junr. 1 st Lieut Matthew Sayer 2 nd do
Another return of Officers of another company of Minute Men in South Hampton signed by Matty Gelston Chairman was read and filed - The Officers thereby returned are
David Pierson Capt. John Foster Junr. 1 st Lieut Abm Rose 2 nd do Edward Topping Ensign
Ordered that Commissions issue for the above named gentlemen and they were issued accordingly."
State of New York Secretary's Office I Certify the preceding to be a true Extract from the Minutes aforesaid Vol. 4 page 552
Given under my hand and the Seal of this Office at the City of Albany the sixteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Arch d Campbell Dep t Secretary

P 17962 INVALID.
No. 17962
John Foster
Lieut. Gen. War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 442
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York County of Suffolk } of Town of Southampton } p:
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace of the town of Southampton in the County of Suffolk and State of New York, John Hostler, a resident of Sag Harbor, in the said County of Suffolk, who, being duly sworn, deposes and sits, that, of reason of old age, and the loss of his journals which he kept during his service, he cannot state positively and with more precision than he has already in his declaration, as to the precise length of his service, to a day; but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and during the whole of the time, in the grade or capacity of a King's Lieutenant:— From the 15 th of September 1775 till about the middle of May, 1776 being a period of eight months, I served as a King's Lieutenant in Captain Pierson's Company of Minute Men; and there- after, about the middle of May aforesaid, having joined Captain Duryee's Company of Regular Troops, with my detachment of men, as I have already stated in my declaration, I served with him as King's Lieutenant till the 25 th of September following, being a period of four months and ten days; I can swear positively to a series of at least four months with him in that capacity; being in the whole a continued series of one year at least; during all which time I was not employed in any civil pursuit, and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 22 nd day of November 1833.
John Hostler
James M. Pyle, Justice of the Peace

I, Joseph R. Huntington, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Suffolk in the State of New York, do hereby certify, that James M. Niles is a Justice of the peace of the town of Southampton in the said County, and that the foregoing signature annexed is his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and the Seal of Office at the County of Suffolk aforesaid this 29 th day of November 1822.
Joseph R. Huntington Clk

In the matter of John Horton, an application for a pension.
Off: Amending of his Declaration.

Declaration of John Foster, of Suffolk Co. N.Y. with testimony accompanying the same, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
No 870
v

SUFFOLK COUNTY Town of Southampton State of New York
Personally appeared Anthony Shearman of the County and State aforesaid and after being by me duly sworn on oath by me
deposits and saith, that he did on the 15th day of September in the year 1775, enlist in a Company called the minute men Commanded by Capt. David Pierson, and that John Foster of the said County was at the time First Lieutenant in said Company, that the said Company was attached to the Brigade Commanded by Genl. Woodhull and that he the said Anthony Shearman, continued in said Company, under the same Officers until the 18th day of April 1776 during that period, the said First Lieutenant John Foster had Command of a detachment from several Companies of the said Brigade, and did take charge of, and convey a number of English Prisoners (about thirty ) from Montauk, to New York, and delivered the said Prisoners, to Genl. Sterling, the then Commander at that post, and that the said John Foster did to his knowledge, continue in said service and Company until the General evacuation of the troops on the east end of Long Island.
Before me the 10th day September 1832
Anthony Shearman his mark
H. Boren Justice of Peace of Suffolk County
And I do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with the above named Anthony Shearman and that he is a credible witness, and his above statement entitled to belief. Dated at Sag Harbor the 22nd day of June 1833.
H. Boren Justice of Peace
I, Joseph R. Huntington, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for the County of Suffolk in the state of New York, do hereby certify, that Henry B. Hauen Esq. is a Justice of the peace in the said County, and that the above signature annexed is his genuine signature. Dated the 3rd of October 1832.
Joseph R. Huntington Clk
And I the said Clerk do hereby further certify that the said Henry B. Hauen is still a Justice of the peace of the said County, and that the above signature annexed to his certificate of the credibility of the above named witness is his genuine signature. Dated the 27th day of June 1833.
Joseph R. Huntington Clk